Affect and outcome in short-term group therapy for loss

Affect and work variables were monitored for 12 of 16 groups involved in a controlled outcome study of psychoanalytically oriented short-term group therapy. Groups were conducted by experienced therapists for outpatients who experienced difficulties adapting to personal losses through death, separation, or both. Postsessional ratings of positive and negative affect were provided by individual patients, therapists, and other patients. Psychodynamic work was rated independently using a content analysis system. Patients who had experienced separation were more inhibited in their affective expression. Rating sources agreed that positive affect increased over time. Direct relationships were found between positive affect and favorable outcome. Concerning negative affect, the strongest predictors of favorable outcome involved the interaction of affect and work. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the cathartic hypothesis.